This is my brother, My hero! We are so proud of him.

My SIL sent this article to me today. I couldn't help the tears that fell as I read this article. I am so proud of him. I can't even describe how proud I am of him. He is one of the "12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year". This is a huge accomplishment. HUGE!!!!

TO LEAD IS TO SERVE

To lead is to serve

by Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
18th Wing Public Affairs

6/8/2009 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Leadership, hard work, and dedication raised him above the gravel mounds in the civil engineering world of "dirt boy" to become one of the most honored 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Master Sgt. Christopher Pollock, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of heavy repair, was among those selected by Air Force officials as the service's top enlisted members.

"I never thought about winning," Sergeant Pollock said. "I just did what I enjoyed ... helped my people and I worked in the areas I was weak in."
In the 19 years he has been an Airman, the Sergeant believes his goal is just to be who he really is.

"I believe in serving," he said. "I love working with kids, the local community and everything I have done so far was for the bettering of my people first."

Being part of the 12 OAY had little to do with the superintendent. He contributes this life-time career honor to those above him who paved his way to reach his goals, the people he worked with, and his family.

Though it came as a surprise to Sergeant Pollock to be a part of the 12 OAY, he still keeps himself humbled by knowing there is always room for growth. He considers himself 'fortunate' to be able to teach people that are around him to seek out those opportunities to make themselves better as an Airman, Noncommissioned Officer, or Senior NCO.

Aside from the old maxim that 'patience is a virtue,' Sergeant Pollock stresses the importance of needing patience as you get older and experience more in life and in the military.

"If you have something to start with, you will get there," the sergeant said. "You need to have patience and you need to adapt."

From personal experience, the sergeant stressed there may be setbacks. He said that "sometimes the mission doesn't allow you to work on your personal wishes or goals, but if you know what you want to be and where you want to go, you will get there."

"So it's not about how much you do," said Sergeant Pollock. "It's about the quality and the significance of the things you do."

MORE PICTURES- http://www.kadena.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?id=123153148